There are 4 matric pass levels:
- National Senior Certificate Pass
- Higher certificate
- Diploma
- Bachelor’s Degree (commonly known as an exemption).
Here are the pass requirements for each of these levels:
National Senior Certificate Pass
This is the bare minimum needed to pass your matric year.
- An APS score of at least 3 in your home language
- An APS score of at least 3 in 2 other subjects
- An APS score of 2 in 4 other subjects
- A total APS score of 14
You can use this APS calculator to calculate your score.
Higher Certificate Pass Requirements
- Must obtain 40% in your Home Language.
- Must obtain at least 40% in two other subjects.
- Must obtain at least 30% for three other subjects.
- It is important to note that one of your languages must either be English or Afrikaans to qualify for a Higher Certificate.
Diploma Pass Requirements
- Must obtain at least 40% for your Home Language.
- Must obtain at least 40% for three other High Credit subjects (Four, including your home language.).
- Must obtain at least 30% for two other subjects.
Bachelor’s Degree Pass Requirements
- Must obtain at least 40% for your Home Language.
- Must obtain at least 50% for four other High Credit subjects.
- Must obtain at least 30% for two other subjects.
Level system
- Level 7: 80 – 100% (Outstanding achievement)
- Level 6: 70 – 79% (Meritorious achievement)
- Level 5: 60 – 69% (Substantial achievement)
- Level 4: 50 – 59% (Moderate achievement)
- Level 3: 40 – 49% (Adequate achievement)
- Level 2: 30 – 39% (Elementary achievement)
- Level 1: 0 – 29% (Not achieved – Fail)
Which subjects are compulsory?
- Home Language
- First Additional Language
- Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
- Life Orientation
What are High Credit subjects?
- Languages
- Accounting
- Business Studies
- Consumer Studies
- Economics
- Geography
- History
- Life Sciences
- Mathematics
- Mathematical Literacy
- Physical Sciences
- Religion Studies
Low Credit subjects
- Computer Applications Technology
- Tourism